UC Administrative Hearing Officer

About This Role

This administrative hearing officer role involves conducting fair due process hearings on unemployment insurance matters. The officer determines why an individual was separated from employment and whether they are entitled to unemployment benefits. It suits an attorney who can conduct legal research, explain hearing procedures, and write decisions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct administrative law hearings for the lower authority to determine why an individual was separated from employment and whether an individual is entitled to unemployment benefits
• Explain hearing procedure and advise parties of their rights
• Administer oath and oversee taking of testimony (e.g., decide from which witnesses to take testimony, directly question each of those witnesses, oversee each party's additional direct testimony and cross-examination, assist parties in cross-examination when appropriate, secure stipulations, answer questions and interpret policies and procedures, rule on motions and objections, determine admissibility of evidence)
• Conduct legal research in preparation for hearings (e.g., review Director's files and all additional documents and exhibits, ensure that parties and issues are correctly identified and notified)
• Confer with parties regarding scheduling and continuances
• Authorize issuance of subpoenas
• Write decisions (e.g., review evidence, research legal issues, type or dictate decisions)

Requirements

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 4705.01
• 6 months experience as licensed attorney
• Valid driver's license

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public retirement systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Important Details

• Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday; may be required to work evenings
• Contract: permanent

About the Company

The Unemployment Compensation Review Commission is composed of three members appointed by the Governor and a team of attorney hearing officers and administrative support staff. It is independent of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and conducts fair due process hearings on ODJFS unemployment insurance decisions appealed by claimants and employers. The Commission holds "de novo" or full hearings on appeal, offering customers a new review of disputed unemployment insurance issues in a fair and efficient manner.